Positive Energy Districts: Fundamentals, Assessment Methodologies, Modeling and Research Gaps

Anna Kozlowska, Francesco Guarino (), Rosaria Volpe, Adriano Bisello, Andrea Gabaldòn, Abolfazl Rezaei, Vicky Albert-Seifried, Beril Alpagut, Han Vandevyvere, Francesco Reda, Giovanni Tumminia, Saeed Ranjbar, Roberta Rincione, Salvatore Cellura, Ursula Eicker, Shokufeh Zamini, Sergio Diaz de Garayo Balsategui, Matthias Haase and Lorenza Di Pilla
Additional contact information
Anna Kozlowska: AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, 1210 Vienna, Austria
Francesco Guarino: Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Building 9, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Rosaria Volpe: Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Computer Engineering, University of Catania, Piazza Università 2, 95124 Catania, Italy
Adriano Bisello: Institute for Renewable Energy, Eurac Research, Via Alessandro Volta 13A, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
Andrea Gabaldòn: CARTIF Technology Center, Parque Tecnológico de Boecillo, Parcela 205, 47151 Boecillo, Spain
Abolfazl Rezaei: Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University, 1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W. Suite EV-6.139, Montreal, QC H3G 1M8, Canada
Vicky Albert-Seifried: Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, Heidenhofstraße 2, 79110 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
Beril Alpagut: Demir Energy, Smart and Sustainable Cities Department, Istanbul 34718, Turkey
Han Vandevyvere: VITO/EnergyVille, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
Francesco Reda: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., P.O. Box 1000, FI-02044 Espoo, Finland
Giovanni Tumminia: Institute for Advanced Energy Technologies Nicola Giordano (ITAE), CNR (National Research Council of Italy), Via Salita S. Lucia Sopra Contesse 5, 98126 Messina, Italy
Saeed Ranjbar: Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University, 1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W. Suite EV-6.139, Montreal, QC H3G 1M8, Canada
Roberta Rincione: Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Building 9, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Salvatore Cellura: Energy Department, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy
Ursula Eicker: Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University, 1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W. Suite EV-6.139, Montreal, QC H3G 1M8, Canada
Shokufeh Zamini: AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, 1210 Vienna, Austria
Sergio Diaz de Garayo Balsategui: Centro Nacional de Energías Renovables (CENER), Av. Ciudad de la Innovación 7, 31621 Sarriguren, Spain
Matthias Haase: Department of Life Sciences, Facility Management, Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Gertrudstrasse 15, 8401 Winterthur, Switzerland
Lorenza Di Pilla: Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Building 9, 90128 Palermo, Italy

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-31

Abstract: The definition, characterization and implementation of Positive Energy Districts is crucial in the path towards urban decarbonization and energy transition. However, several issues still must be addressed: the need for a clear and comprehensive definition, and the settlement of a consistent design approach for Positive Energy Districts. As emerged throughout the workshop held during the fourth edition of Smart and Sustainable Planning for Cities and Regions Conference (SSPCR 2022) in Bolzano (Italy), further critical points are also linked to the planning, modeling and assessment steps, besides sustainability aspects and stakeholders’ involvement. The “World Café” methodology adopted during the workshop allowed for simple—but also effective and flexible—group discussions focused on the detection of key PED characteristics, such as morphologic, socio-economic, demographic, technological, quality-of-life and feasibility factors. Four main work groups were defined in order to allow them to share, compare and discuss around five main PED-related topics: energy efficiency, energy flexibility, e-mobility, soft mobility, and low-carbon generation. Indeed, to properly deal with PED challenges and crucial aspects, it is necessary to combine and balance these technologies with enabler factors like financing instruments, social innovation and involvement, innovative governance and far-sighted policies. This paper proposes, in a structured form, the main outcomes of the co-creation approach developed during the workshop. The importance of implementing a holistic approach was highlighted: it requires a systematic and consistent integration of economic, environmental and social aspects directly connected to an interdisciplinary cross-sectorial collaboration between researchers, policymakers, industries, municipalities, and citizens. Furthermore, it was reaffirmed that, to make informed and reasoned decisions throughout an effective PED design and planning process, social, ecological, and cultural factors (besides merely technical aspects) play a crucial role. Thanks to the valuable insights and recommendations gathered from the workshop participants, a conscious awareness of key issues in PED design and implementation emerged, and the fundamental role of stakeholders in the PED development path was confirmed.

Keywords: positive energy districts; world café method; stakeholder engagement; PED design; PED implementation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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